Peace talks with MILF to resume 'without preconditions'

MANILA, Philippines - The new head of the government peace panel on Tuesday said the government is preparing to "move forward" with the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Ambassador Rafael Seguis, the newly-appointed head of the government peace panel, said the Arroyo administration is ready to resume the stalled peace negotiations with the MILF ''without preconditions.'' Seguis said the composition of the peace panel has been completed. Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman will represent the Moro people in the panel, General Santos Mayor Adelbert Antonino will represent the local government and the Christian community, and Rep. Ronald Adamat from Maguindanao to represent the lumads. Seguis, however, said "it takes two to tango," adding that the five preconditions the MILF issued have to be taken on the negotiating table and "not released through media." ''Let them come to us to talk. We will deal with them on the negotiating table and we shall find a way,'' Seguis said. Seguis said there are still some ''kinks to iron out'' such as the composition of the International Monitoring Team and the role of Malaysia in the talks. The government panel's peace ''strategy" is expected to be submitted to President Arroyo on January 20. - Joe Torres, GMANews.TV